GOVERNOR MARTINEZ IS BEING SUED BY A GROUP OF JUDGES UPSET OVER HER VETO OF THEIR PROPOSED EIGHT PERCENT RAISE. THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED THE INCREASE. AND THE JUDGES HOPE TO REVERSE THE GOVERNOR'S LINE ITEM VETO. MARTINEZ SAID LAST MONTH THAT SHE VETOED THE RAISE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT EIGHT PERCENT WAS TOO MUCH. SHE SAYS SHE MIGHT HAVE APPROVED A 3 PERCENT RAISE … WHICH IS WHAT OTHER STATE WORKERS GOT.
RAY VARGAS … THE LAWYER REPRESENTING THE JUDGES … SAYS MARTINEZ OVERSTEPPED HER BOUNDS. HE SAYS THE CONSTITUTION AND STATE LAWS REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO DETERMINE THE JUDGES' PAY … NOT THE GOVERNOR. IF THE HIGH COURT OVERRULES MARTINEZ'S VETO, THEY WOULD ALSO GET A PAY HIKE.
